Today I Heard a Story

It's by Spencer Johnson, M.D.

The Precious Present

Once there was a boy who listened to an old man. And, thus, began to learn about The Precious Present. "It is a present because it is a gift," the contented man explained. "And it is precious because anyone who receives such a present is happy forever."

"Wow!" the little boy exclaimed. "I hope someone gives me The Precious Present. Maybe I'll get it for Christmas." The boy ran off to play. And the old man smiled. He liked to watch the little boy play. He saw the smile on the youngster's face and heard him laughing as he swung from a nearby tree. The boy was happy. And it was a joy to see.

The old man also liked to watch the boy work. He even rose early on Saturday mornings to watch the little laborer mow the lawn across the street. The boy actually whistled while he worked. The little child was happy no matter what he was doing. It was, indeed, a joy to behold.

When he thought about what the old man had said, the boy thought he understood. He knew about presents. Like the bicycle he got for his birthday and the gifts he found under the tree on Christmas morning. But as the boy thought more about it, he knew. The joy of toys never lasts forever. The boy began to feel uneasy. "What then," he wondered, "is The Precious Present? What could possibly make me happy forever?" He found it difficult to even imagine the answer.

And so he returned to ask the old man. "Is The Present a magical ring? One that I might put on my finger and make all my wishes come true?" He was told, "No."

The Precious Present has nothing to do with wishing.

As the boy grew older he continued to wonder. He went to the old man. "Is The Precious Present a flying carpet?" he inquired. "One that I could get on and go any place that I liked?" The man quietly replied, "No."

When you have The Precious Present you will be perfectly content to be where you are.

The boy was becoming a young man now, and felt a bit foolish for asking. But he was uncomfortable. He began to see that he was not achieving what he wanted. "Is The Precious Present," he slowly ventured, "a sunken treasure? Perhaps rare gold coins buried by pirates long ago?" The old man told him, "No young man. It is not."

The richness is rare, indeed, but...the wealth of the present comes only from itself.

The young man thought for a moment. Then he became annoyed. "You told me," the young man said, "that anyone who receives such a present would be happy forever. I never got such a gift as a child." The old man responded, "I'm afraid you don't understand."

You already know what The Precious Present is. You already know where to find it. And you already know how it can make you happy. You knew it best when you were a small child. You have simply forgotten.

The young man went away to think. But as time passed, he became frustrated and finally angry. He eventually confronted the old man. "If you want me to be happy," the young man shouted, "why don't you just tell me what The Precious Present is?"

"And where to find it?" the old man volleyed. "Yes, exactly," the young man demanded. I would like to the old man began. "But I do not have such power. No one does." The old man continued, "Only you have the power to make yourself happy. Only you."

The precious present is not something that someone gives you. It is a gift that you give yourself.

The young man was confused, but determined. He resolved to find The Precious Present himself. And so, he packed his bags. He left where he was. And went elsewhere. To look for The Precious Present.

After many frustrating years, the man grew tired of looking for The Precious Present. He had read all the latest books. And he had looked in The Wall Street Journal. He had looked in the mirror. And into the faces of other people. He had wanted so much to find The Precious Present. He had gone to extraordinary lengths. He had looked for it at the tops of mountains and in cold dark caves. He had searched for it in dense, humid jungles. And underneath the seas.

But it was all to no avail. His stressful search had exhausted him. He even became ill occasionally. But he did not know why. The man returned wearily to the old man's side. The old man was happy to see him. They often laughed out loud together. The young man liked to be with the old man. He felt happy in his presence. He guessed that this was because the old man felt happy with himself.

It wasn't that the old man's life was so trouble-free. He didn't appear to have a lot of money. He seemed to be alone most of the time. In fact, there was no apparent reason why he was so much happier and healthier than most people. But happy he was. And so were those who spent time with him. "Why does it feel so good to be with him?" the young man wondered. "Why?" He left wondering.

After many years, the once-young man returned to inquire further. He was now very unhappy and often ill. He needed to talk with the old man. But the old man had grown very, very old. And, all too soon, he spoke no more. The wise voice could no longer be heard. The man was alone.

At first, he was saddened by the loss of his old friend. And then he became frightened. Very frightened. He was afraid that he would never learn how to be happy. Until, he finally accepted what had always been true. He was the only one who could find his own happiness. The unhappy man recalled what the happy old man told him so many years ago. But as hard as he tried he could not figure it out. He tried to understand what he had heard.

The present has nothing to do with wishing...

When you have the present you will be perfectly content to be where you are...

The richness of the present comes from its own source...

The present is not something that someone gives to you...

It is something you give to yourself...

The unhappy man was now tired of looking for The Precious Present. He had grown so tired of trying, that he simply stopped trying.

And then, it happened! He didn't know why it happened, when it happened. It just...happened! He realized that The Precious Present was just that: THE PRESENT. Not the past; and not the future but THE PRECIOUS PRESENT

In an instant the man was happy. He realized that he was in The Precious Present. He raised both hands triumphantly into the cool, fresh air. He was joyous...for one moment....

But then, just as quickly as he had discovered it, he let the joy of the present moment evaporate. He slowly lowered his hands, touched his forehead, and frowned. The man was unhappy-again. "Why,"he asked himself, "didn't I see the obvious long ago? Why have I missed so many precious moments? Why has it taken me so long to live in the present?"

As the man remembered his fruitless travels around the world in his search for The Precious Present, he knew how much happiness he had lost. He had not experienced what each special time and place had to offer. He had missed a great deal. And he felt sad. The man continued to berate himself. And then he saw what he was doing. He observed that he was trapped by his guilt about his past.

When he became aware of his unhappiness and of his being in the past, he returned to the present moment. And he was happy.

But then the man began to worry about the future. "Will I," he asked, "be able to know the joy of living in The Precious Present tomorrow?" Then he saw he was living in the future and laughed - at himself. He listened to what he now knew. And he heard the wisdom of his own voice.

It is wise for me to think about the past and to learn from my past. But it is not wise for me to be in the past, for that is how I lose myself.

It is also wise to think about the future and to prepare for my future. But it is not wise for me to be in the future, for that, too, is how I lose myself.

And when I lose myself, I lose what is most precious to me.

It was so simple. And now he saw it. The present nourished him.

But the man knew it was not going to be easy. Learning to be in the present was a process he was going to have to do over and over... again and again... until it became a part of him. Now he knew why he had enjoyed being with the old man. The old man was totally in the present when he was with the younger man. The old man was not thinking about something else pr wishing he was somewhere else. He was fully in the present. And it felt good to be with such a person. The younger man smiled at himself, the way the old man used to smile. He knew.

I can choose to be happy now, or I can try to be happy when... or if...

The man choose NOW! And now the man was happy. He felt at peace with himself. He agreed to savor each moment of his life...the apparently good and the apparently bad... Even if he didn't understand. For the first time in his life, it didn't matter. He accepted each of his precious moments on this planet as a gift.

I know that some people choose to receive The Precious Present when they are young. Others in middle age. And some when they are very old. Some people sadly never do. I can choose to receive The Precious Present whenever I want.

As the man sat thinking, he felt fortunate. He was who he was where he was. And now he knew! He would always be who he was where he was. He listened again to his thoughts.

The present is what is. It is valuable. Even if I do not know why. It is already just the way it is supposed to be. When I see the present, accept the present, and experience the present. I am well, and I am happy.

Pain is simply the difference between what is and what I want it to be. When I feel guilty over my imperfect past, or I am anxious over my unknown future, I do not live in the present. I experience pain. I make myself ill. And I am unhappy.

My past was the present. And my future will be the present. The present moment is the only reality I ever experience.

As long as I continue to stay in the present, I am happy forever: Because forever is always the present. The present is simply who I am, just the way I am...right now. And it is precious.

I am precious.

I am the precious present.

It was as though he could hear the old man talking. And then he smiled. And his smile widened. And he laughed. He felt a great joy. He knew he was listening, not to the old man... but to himself! It felt good for him to be with himself - just the way he was. He felt he knew enough. He felt he had enough. He felt he was enough. Now. He has finally found The Precious Present. And he was completely happy.

Several decades later, the man had grown into a happy, prosperous, and healthy old man. One day a little girl came by to talk to him. She liked to listen to "the old man," as she called him. It was fun to be with him. There was something special about him. But she didn't know what it was.

One day the little girl began to really listen to the old man. Somehow she sensed something important in his calm voice. He seemed very happy. The little girl couldn't understand why. "How could someone so old," she wondered, "be so happy?" She asked and the old man told her why.

Then all of a sudden, the little girl jumped up and squealed with delight! As the girl ran off to play, the old man smiled. For he heard what she had said..."Wow!" she exclaimed. "I hope someday someone gives me The Precious Present."

Meeting Captain Reynolds

Three weeks ago I visited the Apple store in Soho for a Meet the Filmmaker event with Mike Judge. Today I was thoroughly entertained at a similar Meet the Actor spectacular featuring the ever witty Nathan Fillion.

He was there to plug the second season of Castle, which starts this upcoming Monday on ABC. Honestly, I've never seen it. But after the clips I saw today, perhaps it'd be worth giving this season a try.

A good majority of the audience members were die-hard fans and knew the whole gamut of Fillion's career from his small role on the sitcom Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place to the internet cult classic Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog.

I, however, knew Nathan from only one role. Perhaps the best and shortest lived sci-fi of all time Firefly.

Fox made a mistake by canceling this one of a kind show before it could finish a full season back in 2002. It's a show about a ship named Serenity, a firefly class transport. Malcom Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) captains the ship and it's crew of unlikely characters as it drifts along the outskirts of the galaxy taking on whatever jobs come their way, often of the illegal sort.

Serenity travels from planet to planet finding these assignments. However, oddly enough, each planet looks like an old western town with a few futuristic mechanisms and weapons thrown in. But that's one of the most unique parts of the show. It's a brilliant mix between a Sci-Fi and Western with a sarcastic bite of humor that I'm sure Fillion himself is responsible for from time to time.

Besides the western-like themes throughout the show, there are other aspects that make this series shine brightly in the galaxy of television programs. The show alludes to the fact, though never addresses it directly, that China became a huge world power before Earth was all but abandoned. This is evident in many of the characters' clothing as well as their choice Chinese phrases, often muttered as obscenities. Also, each episode is carefully crafted with unique plot lines and anything but average story telling. And even though it's a sci-fi taking place in a galaxy that may or may not be far, far away, the show feels human. That's a credit to the characters.

Firefly, even its short lived fourteen episode season, has some of the best character development I have seen in a series. Beside Capt. Reynolds is his first mate, and fellow solider in the "great war," Zoe, the warrior woman of the ship. She's married to the pilot, Wash, a timid sort, yet he still holds his own with the crew. Kaylee, the engine mechanic, is the cute little country girl who knows her way around every piece of machinery on the ship. Jane is an uneducated warrior type used for the dirty work. On top of these, there's a shepherd (a preacher), a companion (high class prostitute), and a brother and sister pair of fugitives that join the crew as well. The ship is aptly named, as all of these characters struggle together and in their own unique ways to find serenity.

Brilliantly crafted show. But don't take my word for it....

But sadly enough, Nathan didn't even get to talk about Firefly till the very last question of the Q & A. "Nathan, first off, can't wait for this next season of Castle. However, I find is interesting that in this hour neither Firefly or Serenity (the movie made after the show was canceled) has been mentioned," asked the final audience member to speak. At this point, the moderator handed Nathan a $1 bill, because Nathan knew this Q & A couldn't go all night without someone asking about Firefly.

Wow, I didn't expect this blog to turn into a plug for this show. But as I was writing this post, I stopped for a while to watch an episode so it's greatness is fresh in my mind. As for the interview with Nathan Fillion: in summary, I was pleased all around. Have you ever seen an interview with an actor on Conan or Letterman and were disappointed because the character they play is more interesting than the actor in real life? Well, this was not Fillion. Hilarious and witty the entire time. Worthy of watching this Monday in Castle.

Firsts and Lasts

I'm learning. Today I learned more lessons than I think one day should allow. Yet, in a bizarre, glass-half-full kinda way, it was a fantastic day.

Today began in Port Chester, approximately forty miles north of the city. That's where Jacob's studio is. I made my way there last night, crashed, and went right to work this morning. Following my day of office organizing, I decided it was time to get my bike into the city. It had been chilling in Port Chester since the summer let out. So I biked to the train station and wheeled my eco-friendly mode of transportation onto the train.

I was sitting peacefully next to my bike when the conductor came by. "And you have your bike permit as well correct?" he asked as he punched my ticket. I gave a nervous giggle as if to say 'Haha, nice one.' But he continued to stare at me. "Wait, are you serious?" I said. "Yes, you need a permit to transport a bicycle on any public transit." I explained that I was a newbie to New York and this was my first time attempting to get a bike into the city. This conductor was the kind of person I can get along with in the world. The kind that doesn't try to make trouble for people. "Well, when you get to Grand Central make sure you get yourself one if you want to take it on the subways." He was a live and let live individual.

Unfortunately his fellow conductor wasn't such a person. A few minutes after he continued down the car, another conductor came by. This one was on a "I-have-little-power-in-my-life-so-what-little-power-I-do-have-I-am-going-to-exercise-while-I-can" power trip. I don't like these kind of people. But I tolerate them and act as civil as I can with them.

"Who's bike is this? It's blocking the aisle," he said (even though it was well out of the way). I told him it was mine. "Where's your bike permit?" he said hastily. I explained that I just talked to the other conductor about this, it's my first time, yadda yadda. "Well, get one, it's illegal to travel without one." He then stormed off down the subway car. His ego boosted for the day because he got to yell at someone.

That was the first and last time I will take a bike on the Metro North Rail.

Upon arriving at Grand Central, I decided not to go to the information desk and get a permit. I didn't feel like paying for one, even though I didn't know and still don't know the cost. However, it's the whole principle. Why should I pay extra? Some people's luggage on that train took up more room than my bike. I figured I'd try my luck and bike from Grand Central to Bushwick.

That's the route. Only 7.4 miles. It most certainly did not feel like 7.4 miles, more like 20. Wasn't that bad till I got to the Williamsburg Bridge. I never thought that incline was going to end. While I'm pedaling as hard as my jean-constricted pants will let me, I'm getting passed by the intense road bikers who probably ride that journey twice daily. Now that I think of it, I was so hellbent on getting across that bridge that I didn't even stop to enjoy the view from it's peak. Once I got to that peak though, it was an easy coast down, so easy that it was hard to keep control.

I made it over in one piece and now had to make my way through what I thought was going to be an easy journey through Williamsburg to Bushwick. Take a look at the map. It's not that hard. Sadly, it is that hard when you're a moron and take a few wrong turns. Then before you know it you're getting pulled over by a van full of NY Police Officers.

My first time biking in the city and I'm getting nailed by the NYPD. Apparently, you are not allowed to ride a bike on any city sidewalks. I had an inkling that was the case, since no one else was riding a bike on the sidewalk, but I figured it was more of a strong suggestion. Nope, it's a law.

An officer gets out of the passenger door and asks for my ID. He barely takes a look at it and then passes it to the other 5 cops sitting in the back of this large van. I suspect they were all in training. Each took a look at my driver's license, discussing it amongst themselves. Presumably a training on how to identify fakes. As they all perused my picture, I again played the newbie to NYC explaining this is my first time riding a bike in the city.

It seemed such a minor infraction that it wasn't even worth showing the rookies how to fill out one of the tickets. The last guy to look at my license asked, "Green Bay huh? You a Packer's fan?" "I kinda have to be,"I replied as the instructor cop handed me back my ID telling me they'd let me off with a warning this time.

That was the first and (hopefully) last encounter I'll have with the NYPD.

I got home just in time to shovel down some food before I met a friend for a drink. We guzzled that drink and made our way to the Williamsburg, where we stopped for another drink at a wonderful establishment that serves all there beverages in styrofoam cups. Which makes it extremely convenient for carrying alcohol out on the street. It just so happen that a few representative for a rum called Sailor Jerry. Had quite a few rum & cokes against my better judgement. After all, how great can that rum be. The guy is a sailor. Many ranks below Captain Morgan and Admiral Nelson.

That was the first and last time I will drink Sailor Jerry...that is, unless it's free again.

We were good and toasty for a DJ set with Calvin Harris at the Williamsburg Music Hall. Long story short, great show, great dancing. However today, my body is sore in ways previously not thought imaginable. My legs and back kill from both an intense NY bike ride and a night of intense dancing. Oh and chalk my neck up for dance related soreness too. And my ears are still ringing.

That was the first and last time I bike across NY before I go to an all night dance concert.

And that'll be the last time I go to a concert without ear plugs. I need my musicianly trained ears to last me a while.

Lessons well learned I guessed.

Baby Face

Look at this picture. Happy Shawn. All scruffy, thick mutton chops gracefully framing the patchy stubble of my cheeks and chin. Granted, I'm no beauty queen pretty boy, but I enjoy this look I've got going for me.... correction, had going for me.

Thanks to my new job, I look like a prepubescent boy. Unhappy Shawn.

I thought high school would be the last time I'd be asked/told to be clean shaven, but alas it's back haunt me. The first thing my now boss told me in the interview last week was, "How attached are you to these (points to the sides of his face)? Cause we shouldn't continue this interview if you can't part with them."

I debated walking out right there. Then I thought about the fairly large rent check I just wrote out and figured I can part with them for a while. It'll grow back.... right?

Where I Go, Thus Far

As a continuation of my last post, here's a little more detail for those of you who may not be that familiar with NYC. I know I wasn't before I got here.
I also figured it'd be convenient for stalkers, murderers, and rapists if I left them a detailed map of where I'd be at around town.

I'm Gonna Make a Brand New Start of It

...Or at least attempt to. Then again, I don't know about a brand new start. I am, after all, going to pursue the same career fields I've been into. So I guess you could say, I'm gonna make a solid attempt at making a go at what I already do... but that doesn't quite flow lyrically like Frank would want it to. Whatever. It makes for a good title for this post, ok?

I've been living in Brooklyn for a week. A decent week at that. Settled in a nice apartment in the Bushwick neighborhood. Got job to pay the bills at a swanky literary club...Actually, Now that I think of it, I'm going to outline the week below. Not so much for you, the reader, but for myself. It's been a long week. I should figure out what I did with myself.


Sunday 8/30 Sleeping Through Flights
After a long night at Alpine Valley for a Jimmy Buffet concert the night before, I awoke at 6am to catch a 7:40 flight from Milwaukee. Got into White Plains around 3pm and chilled at Jacobs for the night.

Monday 8/31 Waiting to Move In
Took the North Metro Rail into the city and subsequently to my apartment. The previous tenant staying in my room wasn't totally moved out. Spent most of my day helping him move out and moving myself in.

Tuesday 9/1 Audition and Apple
Today I had my second audition here in the city, the first having taken place earlier this summer. This particular audition was for PGT Entertainment. Will anything come of it? Meh, we'll see. But the experience is necessary. Afterward, I spent sometime at the Apple store sitting in on their free lectures.

Wednesday 9/2 A Filmmaker and a Further Moving
Chilled at the apartment got a little more settled. Later that night, went back to Apple store for a Q&A session with animator/writer/director Mike Judge. Even though the interviewer/moderator was an idiotic bimbo who knew nothing about Mike or his work, it was still a sweet event to enjoy.

Afterward, I took a train back up to White Plains. Later that night, once his kids were asleep, Jacob and I drove the rest of the crap I had sitting at his house over to my apartment. Before getting to the apartment though, we had to stop at Jacob's favorite pizza place in the city, Joes.

Thursday 9/3 Got a Job, Discovered a Park, Found a Music Venue
I intended on sleeping in this morning, however, I was awoken by an old high school friend who now lives in the city. We grabbed a coffee before I went to my interview at The Lotos Club. It went well and I start this Wednesday. We'll see how that goes. After the interview, I made my way to Crown Heights (which borders Prospect Park) to meet up with another friend from WI who moved to the city. We took a good long walk through the park and slipped a few Coronas.

That night I had my first encounter with Williamsburg, which I was told is "where it's at." It is. I went to the Music Hall of Williamsburg to see Elizabeth and the Catapult. Basically, a much less mainstream Regina Spektor.

Friday 9/4 Flatbush and Fish & Chips

Pretty chill day. That night caught up with yet another friend. This one from UWSP. We grabbed dinner. She showed me around Flatbush, another fantastic upcoming neighborhood of Brooklyn. It's actually a bit on the British-side. Quite lovely. We then got lost as she attempted to drive me home, seeing as how there are no trains that run north and south in Brooklyn. It's messed up.

Saturday 9/5 Where Tight Cuffs Meet Jew Curls

Went back to the Prospect Park area. Took a good walk. Listened to some good music as I walked. Found a fantastic farmers market at the north end of the park, right by the Brooklyn Library. After my time there, I went back over to Williamsburg to gallivant around Bedford street. The sidewalks had tables sporadically set up to sell books, trinkets, jewelry, you name it.

While taking a look at this tables, I discovered how cool people can be in NYC. I was looking at some jewelry, specifically a leather necklace with a large charm on it. I asked the little old woman the price. $5 she replied. I was really only interested in the leather and told her such. She replied, "Oh, I can just give you that for free." I told her, "here's a dollar at least, take something." With a sharp turn of her head she yipped, "no." I thanked her again and off I went.

My other favorite place I shopped was a neighborhood sale in which all proceeds went to charity. Most everything was kinda junky, but much is was also right up my alley. My purchases include a couple cloth-knit ties, the coolest playset ever, and some bitch'n new shades.

I decided to walk back from Williamsburg to Bushwick as they border each other, and I figured I should see what kind of a walk it is. Little did I know I was about to discover how neighborhoods can drastically change by just a single turn.

As I mentioned, Williamsburg, very "where it's at." The artsy crowd that inhabits the area are total hipsters (see picture at left). Some have their issues with these ankle-hugging jean wearing bunch, but I dig 'em, these neo-hippies who carry the spirit of the 60's and the wardrobe of the 80's. That's Williamsburg, at least the nor then part of it.

I began my walk southeastish to get back to Bushwick. I continued straight down Bedford St. I don't know exactly what block it took place, but suddenly I was the only person with a t-shirt on. Everyone else was hardcore Jewish and gussied up for the Sabbath. I felt out of place, but also very relaxed. I stopped one of the men with the big fur hats on. "Can I ask you a few questions about Judaism?" I said respectful. "Umm depends what the question is. I only have until the next intersection." He was more than happy to enlighten a clueless non-Jew. Their whole way of life fascinates me.

I finally made it back to my apartment, legs aching from the day. After resting them and watching Entourage for an hour, I got a message from yet another friend from good 'ol Stevens Point. I grabbed a few drinks in Manhattan with a few Pointer actors and actresses whom I knew from their roles in UWSP productions.

Which bring me to today, which was pretty lame. Did some job searching online, prepared some job materials, and watched another season of Entourage. Went for a run and found a cheap gym a few blocks away. And now, wrote this post.

A pretty solid first week.